Marine latch



Aug. 24, 1965 Filed D60. 13, 1963 J. E. URBASSIK` MARINE LATCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 37 /05 V 55 43 g .L

3642 37A 35N l Mgg FIG. 2

A TTORNEYS Aug 24, 1955 J. E. URBASSIK 3,202,126

MARINE LATCH Filed Dec. l5, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 36.1% /06 \\,l 93 INVENTOR. f @I3/37 'I l,\ m H5 JOSEPH E. URAsS/K 'OO 4124/ l Bwuwy, 49M,

a f i ll!! f7/WM 9 QM L M if?, F765 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,202,126 MARINE LATCH Joseph E. Urhassiir, Saginaw, Mich., assigner to Eaton Manufacturing Company, 'Cleveland, thio, a corporation of (Ehio Filed Dec. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 330,303 1d Claims.. (Si. 11S-41) The present invention relates to a latch device for locking relatively movable parts together, and more particularly to a marine drive having an outboard power leg supported for kick up movement and a marine latch operable to lock the outboard power leg to prevent kick up thereof when the drive is shifted into reverse.

Known marine drive mechanisms include marine latch devices for locking an outboard power leg of the marine drive from kicking up in response to shifting of the drive into reverse. The known latch devices, however, have not been entirely satisfactory since they are operable to lock the outboard power leg only if the outboard power leg is in :a given position when the latch device is actuated. Thus, often the known latch devices when actuated are not effective because the outboard power leg is not in the proper position. In this event, reactuation of the latch device is necessary when the outboard power leg reaches the proper position.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new, improved, simple, and highly reliable marine drive having a latch device for locking an outboard power leg from kick up movement and wherein the latch device may be actuated without regard to the provision of the outboard power leg and does not require reactuation.

Another principal object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved marine drive having a latch device for locking an outboard power leg from kick up movement and wherein the latch device may be actuated or set in response to shifting of the marine drive into reverse to lock the outboard power leg without regard to the position of the outboard 4power leg and is then operable when the outboard power leg moves to a predetermined position about its kick up axis.

An important object of the present invent-ion is the provision of a new and improved latch device for locking an outboard leg of a marine drive against movement in a first direction about a kick up axis and which may be actuated or conditioned to lock the outboard power leg portion in response to movement of the outboard power leg portion in a direction opposite the first direction and to a predetermined position.

A further lobject of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved marine latch for locking the outboard power leg portion of a marine drive from kicking up in response to movement of the outboard power leg to a predetermined position about its kick up axis and wherein the latch device permits turning of the outboard power leg for steering purposes even through the outboard power leg is locked against kick up movement.

A further and more specific object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved marine drive having an outboard power leg portion which kicks up about a kick up axis and wherein the outbom'd power leg portion carries a first latching member which is movable relative to the outboard power leg portion into a lfirst position and yieldably supported therein, and wherein the first latch member when in its first position land moving in ya first direction with the outboard power leg engages a second latch member fixed against movement with the -outboard power leg and the engagement causing the first latch member to move against the yieldable vsupport until a hook or recess portion thereof moves adjacent the second latch member causing the yieldable support to raise the first latch member and hook behind 3,20Z,l2 Patented Aug. 2141-, 1965 ICC the second latch member to lock the outboard power leg against movement.

A further specific object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved lat-ch mechanism including -a latch member and a latch release member engaging the latch member and cont-rolling the position thereof and which are biased for rotational movement in opposite directions about a shaft member, and an actuator member prevents rotation of the latch release member about the shaft and is movable against the action of the biasing spring to move the latch release member and effect movement of the latch member to the desired position.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following detailed description thereof made with reference lto the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a marine drive mechanism embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the marine drive mechanism shown in FIG. l taken approximately along the section line 2 2 thereof and with parts broken away;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the marine drive mechanism shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the marine drive mechanism shown in FdG. l with certain parts in a different position from that shown in FIG. l; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a portion of the marine drive mechanism shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating different positions of parts thereof.l

The present invention provides .a latch mechanism Ifor use in association with a marine drive for a boat having an outboard power leg supported for kick up movement about a horizontal kick up axis. The outboard power leg kicks up when the boat is moving in a forward direction and eng-ages an object in the water. When the boat is moving in a reverse direction, lit is desirable to lock the outboard power leg against kick up movement. The present invention provides a novel and highly improved marine latch device for locking the outboard power leg from kicking up and is operable upon shifting of the marine drive into reverse. Certain features of the present invention, however, may be used in latch devices for locking any two relatively movable members against relative movement.

The present invention is shown in the drawings as preferably embodied in a marine drive 1t). The marine drive 10 comprises a forward joint housing 11 and an outboard power leg 12;. The forward joint housing 11 is secured in a suitable well known manner to the transom of a boat 13. The outboard power leg 12 carries a propeller 14 yfor powering the boat and includes an upper housing portion 15 supported adjacent the forward joint lhousing'lll and a lower housing portion 16 which carries the propeller 1li.

The outboard power leg 12 is connected to the forward joint housing 11 for kick up movement relative thereto about a horizontal axis and for steering movcment about a substantially vertical axis. The outboard power leg 12 is connected to the forward joint housing 11 by a substantially Y-shaped yoke member 21. The opposite legs of the yoke member 21 are each secured to the forward joint housing 11 by a suitable pin member 22, the axis of whichV corresponds with the` kick up axis. The stem portion of the Y-shaped yoke member 21 is connected to the outboard power leg 12 in a conventional well known manner as by `a pin member 23 permitting turning or rotation of the 4outboard power leg 12 about the substantially vertical axis of 'the pin member 23 relative to the yoke member 21 for steering purposes. This connection, being conventional, will not be described .in detail. Moreover, it should be understood that the outboard power leg 12 may be turned .about its steering axis, namely, the axis of the pin member 23, by suitable mechanism not shown in order to effect steering ofthe boat.

The outboard power leg housing portions l5, 16 and the forward joint housing l1 cover or house drive connections which'drivingly connect the engine of the boat to the propeller 14. lncluded in the drive from the engine to the propeller is a universal drive connection, not shown, which permits movement of the outboard power leg about the kick up axis and about the steering axis without interrupting the drive to the propeller l/l. The drive also includes a transm-ission of conventional structure, not shown. The transmission in the preferred embodiment is located in the upper vportion of the housing l andrsince it is conventional, will not be described in detail. The transmission mechanism is, however, operable between forward and reverse conditions in order to selectively power the boat in a forward direction or in a reverse direction. The transmission mechanism also has a neutral position in which the propeller 14 is not driven. Suitable operating mechanism is provided for actuating the transmission mechanism between its positions, and a suitable operating or shift lever member 25 is operatively connected to the transmission mechanism and is operable between forward, neutral, and reverse positions in order to position the transmission in accordance with the position of the operating or shift lever 25.

As noted above, it is desirable to lock the outboard power leg portion l2 of the marine drive lil from kick up movement when the boat is being powered in a reverse direction, and yet permit steering of the boat. Accordingly, the marine drive of the present invention includes a latch mechanism Sil for locking the outboard power leg portion l2 against kick up action about the kick up axis when the transmission is shifted into reverse. Specifically, the latch mechanism 30 is actuated or conditioned t'o lock the outboard power leg l2 to the forward joint housing i1 in response to movement of the shift lever 25 to its reverse position. The latch mechanism 30 may be actuated or conditioned without regard to the position of the outboard'power leg about its kick up axis, and if actuated when the outboard power leg is out of its locking or non kicked up position, the latch mechanism 3) will operate'to lock the outboard power leg in response to its movement to its locking position, as will be apparent from the description hereinbelow. When in position locking the outboard power leg l2 to the forward joint housing il, the latch mechanism 3'@ permits turning of the outboard power leg portion l2 about its steering axis, as will also be apparent from the descrip- Vtion hereinbelow.

As stated hereinabove, the latch mechanism 3@ is actuated or conditioned in response to shifting of the shift lever 25 to its reverse position. The shift lever 25 is supported for pivotal movement relative to the housing portion l5 and carries a projecting toggle portion 3i which is movable with the shift lever 25. The toggle portion 31 is connected to an actuating arm or link 3S which extends in a downward direction from the toggle portionl. The end of the actuating arm 35, opposite fthe end connected to the toggle portion 3l, is pivotally .connected to an actuator lever or connecting link member The end of the connecting linkmember 36, opposite the end connected to the actuating arm 35, is connected to a. latchactuator member 37. The latch actuator member 37 comprises a curved rod member having a crank lportion 37a and a shaft portion 37b. The shaft portion 37bv is rotatably supported by an actuator support bracket '33. The actuator support bracket 3S is suitably secured to Ya ledge portion of the housing l5 adjacent the yoke member 21 by `suitable fastening means 4Q, al. The actuator support bracket 38 includes a pair of vertically extending flange portions 42, 43 which have aligned openings therethrough. The shaft portion 37b extends through the openings in the flange Vportions 42, #i3 and is suitably supported therein for rotation relative to the bracket 38. The end of the actuator member 37 connected to the link 36 is suitably threaded and extends through an opening in the link 36, and a nut member d5 is threaded onto the actuator member 37 and into tight engagement with the link 36 and clamps the link 36 against a Washer member i6 interposed between the flange 42 and nut member .15 so as to insure rotation of the actuator member 37 upon movement of the link 36 by the actuating arm or connecting link 35.

The crank portion 37a of the actuator member 37, opposite the end connected to the link 36, engages a curved outer surface Sti of a latch release member or bracket Si. The latchfrelease member 5l. includes a bracket portion comprising a pair of flange members 52, 53 which extend substantially parallel to each other and away from the curved surface Si). The frange members 52, 53 have aligned openings through which a shaft member 55 extends and which supports the latch release member 5l. The latch release member 5l is movable between locking and unlocking positions and more specifically is rotatable relative to the shaft member 55 to control the operation of the latch mechanism Sti, as will Y be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The shaft member 55 is supported by a latch bracket dll. The latch bracket o@ includes a pair of bracket arms 61, 62, respectively, which extend co-extensive with portions of the flanges 52, 53 of the latch release member 5l. The arm portions 6l, 62 of the latch bracket dil have aligned openings therein in alignment with the openings in the flange members 52, 53 and the shaft member55 is supported therein for rotation relative thereto. A base portion 63 of the latch bracket all is secured by a suitable screw member 64 to the stem of they yoke member 2l. The bracket member 6% includes projecting flange portions 65, do which engage with and interiit with shoulder portions 7d, 7l, respectively, of the yoke member 2l in order to properly position the bracket member ad relative tothe yoke member 2l.

Latch hook means is rotatably carried by the shaft member S5 and is movable between locking and unlocking positions in response to movement of the latch release member Si between its locking and unlocking positions, as will be described in detail hereinbelow. The latch hook means "i5 comprises a U-shaped member having opposed parallel extending leg portions '76, '77 which are interconnected by a base portion 7d. The leg portions 76, '77 have aligned openings in the one end thereof adjacent the bracket et), which openings receive the shaft member 55, and thus the latch hook means is supported for rotation about the shaft member 55.

VThe latch hook means 75 has suitable grooves or recesses in the upper edge of the leg portions thereof. These locking grooves or recesses provide hook-like portions in the leg portions 76, 77 and comprise a first set of aligned'recesses Sli, Si, respectively, and a second set of aligned recesses 82, 83, respectively. t Y

-When the latch hook means 475 is in a position locking the outboard power leg from kick up movement, the hook-like portions of the lleg 76, 77 hook behind latch members or trim pins 9i?, 91, respectively, carried by the forward joint housing li. The trim pins 9d, Ql'are positioned in one of a plurality of openings in a depending portion 93 of the forward joint housing ll las desired.

The latch hook means 75 is moved to its locking position wherein the trim pins 90, 91 are received in the grooves 00, 81, respectively, upon movement of the actu-ator member 37 which in turn causes movement of the latch release member 51. The latch release member 51, as noted above, is operatively connected to the latch hook means 75 and causes movement of the latch hook means 75 to its locking position in response to movement of the latch release member 51 to its locking position. The operative connection between 'the latch release member 51 and the latch hook member 75 includes ear members 100, 101, respectively, which extend in opposite directions from the latch release member 51. The leg portions '76, 77, respectively, of the latch hook member 75 include ledge surface portions 102, 103 which engage the upper surface of the ear members 100, 101, respectively. The surface portions 102, 103 are located rearwardly of the shaft member 55 while the recesses which receive the trim pins are located forwardly of the sh-aft member 55. Thus, upon lowering of the ear members 100, 101, the recessed portion of the latch hook member 75 moves -upward as viewed in the drawings.

A pair 'of spring members 104, 105 bias the latch release member 51 and latch hook means 75 in opposite directions for rotation about the shaft `55. The latch release member 51 engages the actuator 37 and move-ment thereof is dependent upon movement of the actuator 37. The actuator 37 resists movement thereof by the springs in one direction, namely, clockwise about the shaft 55, while movement of the latch release member 51 in a counteri clockwise direction is effected by the actuator 37 overcomber 51 towards the surface portions 102 and 103 of the` latch hook member 75. As noted above, the actuator 37 i ermits movement of the release member 51 relative to the latch hook member 75 by the spring 105.

The second spring member 104 encircles the shaft member 55 and one end engages the latch release member 51 in the same manner yas it is engaged by the spring member l105. The other end of the spring 104 engages the bracket 60. The springs 104, 105 bias `the latch release member 51 in a clockwise direction about the shaft 55, while the actuator 37 resists this biasing action and prevents movement of the latch release member l51 in a clockwise direction about the sha-ft 55. The spring 105 biases the lat-ch hook member 75 in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft member 55 and thus the latch release member 51 and the latch hook member 75 are 'biased in opposite directions about the shaft 55. From the above description it can be seen that movement of the latch release member 51 is controlled by the actuator member 37. lf the actuator member 37 is moved, the member 51 also moves so as to be maintained in engagement therewith. Moreover, movement of the latch hook means 75 is controlled by the member 51. lf the member 51 moves, the latch hook means moves.

The operation of the latch means 30 should be apparent from the description hereinabove. IFIG, 1 illustrates the latch means 30 in its position when the boat is being powered in a forward direction with the shift lever 25 in its forward position. In this position, the latch hook member 75 is in its unlocked position, clear of the trim pins 90, 91. When the latch hook member is in the position shown in FIG. l, the outboard power leg 12 can freely kick up about its kick up axis `and the hook portions of the latch hook means 75 clear the trim pins 90, 91 when moved about the kick up axis.

Upon shifting of the shift lever 25 to its reverse position', as shown in FIG. 4, the actuator arm 35 is pulled upwardly from the position shown in FG. l to the position shown in FIG. 4. In so doing, the 'actuator crank p0rtion 37a is moved toward the right, as shown in FIG. 2. The crank portion 57a engages the surface 50 of the latch release member 51 below the shaft 55 and movement thereof to the right as viewed in FIG. 2 causes the latch release member 51 to be moved about the shaft 55 in a counterclockwise direction yagainst the bias of the springs 104, 105. This movement, of course, causes the ear members 100, 101 to move in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 55 and downwardly from the dot-dash position shown in FIG. to the full line position shown in FIG. 5. Since the hook latch member 75 is biased by the spring 105 into engagement with the ear members 100, `101, the spring 1135 causes the hook latch member 75 to move in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft member 55 from the dot-dash position shown in FIG. 5 to the full line position shown in FlG. 5. Thus, the hook latch member 75 is moved from an unlocked position to it-s locking position wherein the grooves S0, 81 receives the trim pins 90, 91.

in the event that the outboard power leg 12 is in a kicked up position when the shift lever is moved to its reverse position, the latch mechanism will be conditioned or set so as to effectively lockthe outboard power leg 12 when it moves to a non-kicked up position. Thus, the latch mechanism 30 is operable without regard to the position of the outboard power leg and locks the outboard power leg in response to movement thereof. When the outboard power leg 12 is in a kicked up position and the shift lever 25 is moved to its reverse position, the actuator member 37 effects movement of the latch member 51 to its locking position and in turn, the latch hook means 75 is moved to a raised or locking position, as described hereinabove. position, the recesses 00, S1 or S2, 83 will not engage the trim pins 90, 91, respectively. However, the latch hook means 75 is supported yieldably by the spring 105 in its locking position.

As the outboard power leg 12 moves about its kick up axis downwardly, the forward portion, namely, the portion adjacent the base portion 78 of the latch hook means 75, engages the trim pins 90, 91. More specifically, the opposite forward surface portions 115, 116 of the legs 76, 7'7

engage the trim pins 90, v91 respectively. The opposite forward surface portions 115, 116, which engage the trim pins 90, 91 are inclined and as the outboard power leg 12 moves labout its kick up axis in a downward direction, the latch hook means 75 moves in a clockwise direction -against the bias of the spring 105 about the shaft 55 as a result of the engagement of the surfaces 115, 116, with the trim pins 90, 91. When the outboard power leg 12 moves ydownwardly sufficiently so as to cause the surfaces `115, 116 to pass behind or beyond the trim pins 90, 91, respectively, the spring 105 rotates the latch hook means 75 in a counterclockwise direction about the shaft 55, causing the recesses S2, 33 to engage the trim pins 90, 91. Thus, the forward portion of the latch hook means 75 hooks behind the trim pins 90, 91 thus preventing movement of the outboard power leg 12 `.about its kick up axis. Thus, the latch 30 functions in response to movement of the outboard power leg to a non-kicked up position.

Moreover, the latch means 30 is constructed so as to permit steering of the boat even though the latch is engaged. It should be apparent from the above description that the latch mechanism 30 includes two separate units, one of which comprises the actuator arm and the actuator member 57 which rotate with the outboard power leg 12 about the steering axis to effect steering of the boat. The Vother unit of the latch 30 comprises the latch hook means and the latch release member 51 which are secured to the yoke member 21u/hielt is stationary relative to the outboard power leg 12 when Since the outboard power leg 12 is in a raisedV it is turned for steering of the boat. The curved outer surface ft of the member 5f which is engaged by the actuator 37 is defined by a portion of an are having the steering axis as a center. Thus, when the outboard power leg 12 is turned about the steering axis 23, the actuator member 37 is maintained in engagement and tangent with the curved surface Sti of the member 5i. From the above description, it should be apparent that the actuator 37 and the member 51 are provided with a slidable connection therebetween which permits the actuator member 37 to move about the steering axis 23 for steering purposes without effecting movement of the latch release member Si. Thus, the outboard power leg i3 may be turned for steering purposes whether or not the latch member 75 is in locking engagement with the trim pins.

The above description has been made wherein the shift lever 2S is moved toward the bow of the boat to shift the drive into reverse. In those instances where it is desired to move the shift lever 25 in the opposite direction to shift the drive into reverse, the link 36 may be reverse mounted or a different actuator iinltage arrangement may be provided between the shift lever 25 and actuator member 37. The above description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention also has been made in considerable detail and certain modifications, changes and adaptations therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it relates, and it is hereby intended to cover all adaptations, changes and modifica tions coming within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A marine drive comprising a forward joint housing, an outboard power leg supported for movement about a kick up axis relative to said forward joint housing, a first latch member carried by said outboard power leg portion and movable relative thereto between first and second positions, a second latch member carried by said forward joint housing and cooperable with said first latch member when in its second position to lock said outboard power leg portion against kick up movement, biasing means for moving said first latch member to its said second position and yieldably supporting said first latch member in its said second position and providing for movement of said first latch member into locking cooperative' relationship with said second latch member upon movement of said outboard power leg portion to a predetermined position about the kick up axis, a latch release bracket engaging said first latch member and movable in a first direction to allow movement of said first latch member by said biasing means, means biasing said latch release bracket in said first direction, and an actuator member engaging said latch release bracket and controlling the movement thereof.

2. A latch mechanism for locking first and secon-d relatively movable parts together comprising a first latch member carried by said first part and movable relative thereto between first and second positions, a second latch member carried by said second part and cooperable with said first latch member when in its second position to lock said first and second parts together, first biasing means for moving said first latch member to its said second position and yieldably supporting said first latch member in its said second position and providing for movement of said first latch member into locking cooperative relationship with said second latch member upon movement of said first part to a predetermined position relative to said second part, a latch release member engaging said first latch member and movable in a first direction to allow movement of said first latch member by said biasing means, second biasing means biasing said latch release member in said first direction, and an actuator member engaging said latch release member and movable to control the movement thereof.

3. A latch mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch release member and said first latch member are rotatably supported by a shaft member and movable about said shaft member by said first and second biasing means, respectively.

4. A latch mechanism as defined in claim 3 wherein said first and second biasing means bias said latch release iember and said first latch member for movement in opposite directions about said shaft, movement of said first latch member being prevented by engagement with said latch release member and movement of said latch release member being prevented `by said actuator.

5. A latch mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said latch release member includes an ear portion engageable with a surface portion of said first latch member and said first biasing means maintains said surface portion in engagement with said latch release member.

6. A marine drive comprising a forward joint housing, an outboard power leg, a yoke member connecting said outboard power leg to said forward joint housing for movement about a horizontal kick up axis relative to said forward joint housing, means connecting said outboard power leg to said yoke member and permitting rotation ofv said outboard power leg about a vertical steering axis, a first latch member connected to said yoke member and movable relative to said yoke member between first and second positions, a second latch member carried by said forward joint housing and cooperable with said first latch member when in its second position to lock said yoke member and said outboard power leg portion against kick up movement, said first latch member when in its said first position being disengaged from and out of contact with said second latch member and thereby permitting kick-up of said outboard power leg, biasing means for moving said first latch member to its said second position and allowing for movement of said first latch member into locking cooperative relationship with said second latch member upon movement of said outboard power leg portion to a predetermined position about the kick up axis, and means including said biasing means for holding said first latch member in its said first position and releasable to allow movement of said first latch member to its said second position by said biasing means, and an actuator means for releasing said holding means for effecting movement of said latch member between its said positions and carried by said outboard power leg and slidable relative to said first latch member upon turning of said outboard power leg about its steering axis.

7. A marine drive comprising a forward joint housing, an outboard power leg supported for kick-up movement relative to said forward joint housing about a kick-up axis, a latch member carried by said forward joint housing, and latch means carried by said outboard power leg and adjustable to a locking position and cooperable when in said locking position with said latch member to lock said outboard power leg to said forward joint housing in response to movement of said outboard power leg portion to a predetermined position about the kick-up axis, said latch means comprising a hook latch member and means biasing said hook latch member in a first direction relative to said outboard power leg and toward said latch member, said hook latch member including a cam surface engageable with said latch member upon movement of said outboard power leg in a first direction about the kick-up axis, the engagement of said cam surface and said latch member effecting movement of said hook latch member against the bias of said biasing means as the outboard power leg moves in said first direction, said biasing means causing said hook latch member to hook 4behind said latch member upon passage of said cam surface beyond said latch member, said hook latch member being movable between a first position and a second position, said hook latch member when in its said first position having said cam surface positioned to engage said latch member upon movement of said outboard power leg, and means for moving said hook latch member to its said first position in response to shifting of the marine drive into reverse.

S. A marine drive comprising a forward joint housing, an outboard power leg supported for movement about a kick-up axis relative to said forward joint housing, a first latch member carried by said outboard power leg and movable relative thereto between rst and second positions, a second latch member carried by said forward joint housing and engageable with said iirst latch member when in its second position to lock said outboard power leg against kick-up movement, said first latch member when in its said first position being disengaged from and out of contact with said second latch member and thereby permitting kick-up of said outboard power leg, biasing means for moving said rst latch member to its said second position and yieldably supporting said first latch member in its said second position and providing for movement of said first latch member into locking cooperative relationship with said second latch member upon movement of said outboard power leg to a predetermined position about the kick-up axis, and means including said biasing means for holding said first latch member in its said first position and releasable to allow movement of said rst latch member to its said second position by said biasing means.

9. A marine drive comprising a forward joint housing, an outboard power leg supported for movement about a kick-up axis relative to said forward joint housing, a first latch member carried by said outboard power leg and movable relative thereto between rst and second positions, a second latch member carried by said forward joint housing and engageable with said first latch member when in its second position to lock said outboard power leg against kick-up movement, said first latch member when in its said rst position being disengaged from and out of contact with said second latch member and thereby permitting kick-up of said outboard power leg, biasing means for moving said first latch member to its said second position and yieldably supporting said first latch member in its said second position and providing for movement of said first latch member into locking cooperative relationship with said second latch member upon movement of said outboard power leg to a predetermined position about the kick-up axis, means including said biasing means for holding said rst latch member in its said first position and releasable to allow movement of said iirst latch member to its said second position by said biasing means, and actuating means for releasing said means holding said rst latch member in its first position in response to shifting of the marine drive into reverse.

10. A latch mechanism -jor locking first and second relatively movable parts together comprising a first latch member carried by said first part and movable relative thereto between first and second positions, a second latch member carried by said second part and engageable with said first latch member when in its second position to lock said parts against relative movement, said rst latch member when in its first position being disengaged from and out of contact with said second latch member pen mitting relative movement of said parts, biasing means for moving said first latch member to its said second position and yieldably supporting said first latch member in its said second position and providing for movement of said first latch member into locking cooperative relationship with said second latch member upon movement of said first partto a predetermined position relative to said second part, and means including said biasing means for holding said first latch member in its said second position and releasable to effect movement of said rst latch member to its said second position by said biasing means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,006,311 10/61 Hansson et al 11S-35 FERGUS S. MIDDLETON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MARINE DRIVE COMPRISING A FORWARD JOINT HOUSING, AN OUTBOARD POWER LEG SUPPORTED FOR MOVEMENT ABOUT A KICK UP AXIS RELATIVE TO SAID FORWARD JOINT HOUSING, A FIRST LATCH MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID OUTBOARD POWER LEG PORTION AND MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, A SECOND LATCH MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID FORWARD JOINT HOUSING AND COOPERABLE WITH SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER WHEN IN ITS SECOND POSITION TO LOCK SAID OUTBOARD POWER LEG PORTION AGAINST KICK UP MOVEMENT, BIASING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER TO ITS SAID SECOND POSITION AND YIELDABLY SUPPORTING SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER IN ITS SAID SECOND POSITION AND PROVIDING FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER INTO LOCKING COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID SECOND LATCH MEMBER UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID OUTBOARD POWER LEG PORTION TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION ABOUT THE KICK UP AXIS, A LATCH RELEASE BRACKET ENGAGING SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER AND MOVABLE IN A FIRST DIRECTION TO ALLOW MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER BY SAID BIASING MEANS, MEANS BIASING SAID LATCH RELEASE BRACKET IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION, AND AN ACTUATOR MEMBER ENGAGING SAID LATCH RELEASE BRACKET AND CONTROLLING THE MOVEMENT THEREOF.
 2. A LATCH MECHANISM FOR LOCKING FIRST AND SECOND RELATIVELY MOVABLE PARTS TOGETHER COMPRISING A FIRST LATCH MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID FIRST PART AND MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND POSITIONS, A SECOND LATCH MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID SECOND PART AND COOPERABLE WITH SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER WHEN IN ITS SECOND POSITION TO LOCK SAID FIRST AND SECOND PARTS TOGETHER, FIRST BIASING MEANS FOR MOVING SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER TO ITS SAID SECOND POSITION AND YIELDABLY SUPPORTING SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER IN ITS SAID SECOND POSITION AND PROVIDING FOR MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST LATCH MEMBER INTO LOCKING COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID SECOND LATCH MEMBER UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID FIRST PART TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND PART, A LATCH RELEASE MEM- 